System and apparatus for electric regulation



March 2 1, 1933. H. VON OHLSEN SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC REGULATION Filed March 20, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ink 4.151%

I NVENTOR March 21, 1933. L. H. VON OHLSEN SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC REGULATION Filed March 20, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZOAD INVENTOR Patented Mar. 2i, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOUIS H. VON mm, 01' NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ABIIGHOB 1'0 m san'r! can HEATING l: LIGHTING comm, A. CORPORATION OI m M SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC BDGULL'I'IOH Application fled Iaroh 80, :0. Serial No. 687,480.

This invention relates to a system and ap aratus for electric regulation.

ne of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple and thorou hly practical system and apparatus for ac ieving regulation in an electrical circuit or system that will be well adaptedto meet the varying conditions of practical use. Another object is to provide a regulating system and apparatus of the carbon pile type in which a wide range of action may be achieved in spite of the relatively limited range of actlon inherent in the carbon pile itself. Another object is to provide a system and apparatus of the carbon pile type in which the range of action may be diminished or increased without necessitating the removal from or addition to the carbon pile of individual carbon resistance elements. Another object is to provide a s stem and apparatus of the above-mentione character that will be foolproof, thoroughly dependable in action, free from undue mechanical or electri cal complications, and capable of effecting regulation throughout a wlde range of practical conditions. Another object is to provide a system and apparatus of the abovementioned character that will be capable of embodiment in inexpensive form and that will be of simple operation. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the fol lowing claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown several possible embodiments of my invention,

Fi ure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of dtfie regulating system and apparatus, an

Figure 2 is a modified form thereof.

Similar reference characters refer to similar arts throughout the several views in the rawings.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of certain features of m invention, it might at this point be no that the efl'ectlve range of action of a carbon pile re lator is insufiicient to meet certain practical requirements or conditions of use, particularly, for example, in systems where it is necessary to operate at different times at different voltages throughout a substantial range of voltages. In such instances the range or capacity of action of the carbon pile itself is insufiicient and it has heretofore been necessary to resort to such cumbersome and troublesome expedients as removing from or adding to the carbon 'le an appropriate number of carbons to e act a change in the action or range of the carbon pile. One of the dominant .aims of this invention is to provide a s stem and apparatus that avoid such di culties as these and that will make it possible readily and conveniently to suit the carbon pile regulator to the conditions to be met.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figure 1, I have shown diaammatically a carbon pile includes a carbon pile 10 controlled by a coil 11 acting thereon through a bell crank lever 12 pivoted at 13, the coil 11 acting in opposition to a spring 14 which tends to compress the carbon pile 10. The carbon ile regulator is to regulate'or control a unction of the output of a source of current and by way of illustration I have shown the latter astaking the form of a generator 15 su pl ing current to any suitable load throug e mains 16 and 17, the generator 15 being illustratively of the shunt field type and having a shunt exciting field 18.

The carbon pile 10 is connected in series with the shunt field 18 but through a rheostat or variable resistance 1920, the resistance element 19 of which being provided with a suitable number of contacts. with which the contact arm 20, rotatable about an axis 21, coacts in order to vary the amount of resistance in series with the carbon pile 10 and the field 18.

More specifically, the shunt field circuit will be seen to extend from one side of the generator 15, thence through the field 18,

regulator whichthrough the carbon pile 10, and by way of conductor 22 to the switch arm 23 of a reversing switch, one contact 24 of WhICh is connected by conductor 25 to one end of the resistance 19 and the other contact 26 of which is connected by conductor 27 to erator 15, such as the main line 17, thence 11 by way of conductor 29 through the coil 11, conductor 30 to one end of the resistance 31 of a rheostat 31-32, then by way of rheostat arm 32 and conductor 33 back to the other side (main 16) of the generator 15.

The resistance 31 is sub-divided into a suitable number of steps, much in the same way as is the resistance 19 of the rheostat 1920, and these steps are provided with a suitable number of contacts with which the rheostat arm 32, which is pivoted at 34, may coact as the rheostat arm 1s rotated.

The rheostat arm 32 is provided with an insulated handle 35 to permit manual 0 eration thereof while rheostat arm 20 0 the rheostat 19-20 is likewise provided with an insulated handle 36, the two handles being connected to ether to move in unison by means of an ad3ustable link 37, adi'ustable as to'len h by means, for examp e, of a turn bu e 38.

Preferably the carbon pile regulator and .the two rheostats and also the reversin switch 23 are mounted upon a single pane diagrammatically indicated at 39.

Assuming the reversin switch 23 to be in the position shown in igure 1, it will be noted that the rheostat 1920 is connected in circuit with the carbon pile 10 so that movement of the rheostat arm 20 in counterclockwise direction decreases the resistance in series with the carbon pile 10. The rheostat arms 20 and 32, however, are mechanically connected, as above described, so that a change in the resistance of rheostat 1920 is accompanied by a change in the resistance placed in the circuit of the regulatin coil 11 by the rheostat 31-432, and with t e reversmg switch 23 positioned as above noted, any setting of the rheostat 35 in counterclockwise irection is accompanied by a similar setting or movement of the rheostat arm 20 in counter-clockwise direction. Rheostat 31-32 thus increases the resistance in circuit with coil 11 and changes its standard of operation in such a way that it will now require a higher voltage to eifect a change in the pressure on the carbon the action of spring 14. At e same time, the resistance represented by the rheostat 1920 in series with the carbon pile 10 has been diminished, changing r as the standard of operation of the car 11 pile 10 and, in effect, shifting its range of action.

Should the operating characteristics of the load require a lower voltage, a reverse adjustment of the rheostat 3132 is accompanied by a reversed change in the rheostat 19-20; the regulati coil 11 is thus set to respond to a lower vo tage and the range of actlon of the carbon pile 10 is shifted in the direction of a lower standard of field current to meet the lower standard of voltage regulation now achieved by the regulating coil The turn buckle 38 ma be utilized preferably to suit or inter-re ate the two rheostats to achieve the desired inter-relation between the changes in standard of operation which the two rheostats effect.

On the other hand, the characteristics of the load supplied by the generator 15 may be or become such as to require a different inter-relation between the chan es in standards of operation effected by t e rheostats. The reversin switch 23 is then moved toward the rig t, as viewed in Figure 1, and reverses the relation of the rheostat 1920 with respect to the operation of the rheostat 31-32. A counter-clockwise movement of the rheostat arm 32, while still accompanied by a counter-clockwise movement of the rheostat arm 20, achieves an increase in the resistance in circuit with the carbon pile 10, instead of a decrease, as was the case where the reversing switch 23 was in contact with the contact 24. While, therefore, an increase in the standard of voltage regulation is achieved by such counterclockwise setting of the rheostat arm 32, the ran e of action of the carbon ile 10 is shi ed to a lower standard of fie d current. A setting of the rheostats in reverse direction achieves, as will now be clear in view of the foregoing, reversed changes in the respective standards of operation of the controlling coil 11 and the carbon pile 10.

Thus I am enabled to meet a wide range of change in the requirements imposed upon the regulating apparatus either by the generator itself and the characteristics of the latter, or by the character of the load supplied by the generator. More particularly, it will be seen that the regulating apparatus makes available the full range of variation or action of the carbon pile 10 even though practical requirements of the circuit system or apparatus to be regulated necessitate changes in the constants of the related circuits greater than that of which the carbon pile 10 itself is capable of efi'ecting.

Moreover, the regulating apparatus will ile 19 against 5.

and such flexibilit of manual control that it can be very rea 'l and quickly suited to the characteristics any particular generator or circuit or apparatus to be reg?- lated, and that I am enabled to avoid t e necessity of designin or buildin a special regulator for each fierent con ition met with in practice.

Turning now to Fi re 2 of the drawin I have shown a 1 le modification of t e arran ment of igure 1, and more particularl it will be noted that the resistance 19 of t e rheostat 1920 is shunted about the carbon pile by conductors and 41 through a reversing switch generally indicated at 42. The functioning and operation of the arrangement of Figure 2 is substantially identical to those of the system of Figure 1, excepting that the range of action or standard 0 operation of the carbon ile 10 is affected by changing the amount 0 resistance of the rheostat 1920 in parallel with the carbon pile 10 instead of effecting such a chan e by changing the resistance in series wit the carbon pile 10, as is the case in Figure 1. The arrangement of Figure 2 is particularl adaptable to conditions where the regu ating circuit in which the carbon pile 10 is included carries a current materially in excess of the maximum current which the carbon pile 10 itself is intended to carry. The operation and functioning of the system and apparatus of Figure 2 will be clear, it is believed, in view of the detailed description hereinbefore set forth in connection with Fi re 1.

As man possible embodiments may be made of t e above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herelnbefore set forth, or shown in the accom anying drawings, is to be interpreted as lustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In an electrical system, in combination, a source of current, a carbon pile for regulating a function of the output of saidsource, a coil res nsive to a function of the out ut of said source for controlling said car on pile, a variable resistance in series with said carbon pile for changing the range of action of said pile, a variable resistance in series with said coil for changing the standard of operation thereof, means for conjointly varying said variable resistances, and means connecting one of said resistances'in its circuit whereby its action in its circuit ma be reversed.

2. In an e ectrical system, in combination, a source of current, a carbon pile for regulating a function of the out ut of said source, a coil res onsive to a unction of the output of said source for controlling said carbon pile, a variable resistance in series with said carbon pile for. changin the range of action of said pile, a vanab e resistance in series with said coil for changing the standard of operation thereof, and

operating means for said variable resist ances adapted to decrease one resistance as the other resistance is increased.

3. In an electrical system, in combination, a source of current, a carbon pile for regulating a function of the output of said source, a coil res naive to a function of the output of said source for controlling said carbon pile, a variable resistance related to said carbon pile for cha the range of action of said pile, a variab e resistance in series with said coil for changing the standard of o ration thereof, operating means for sai variable resistances, and means operable at will for causing the effects of said variable resistances to be either difierential or cumulative in their action upon the system.

4. In an electrical system, in combination, a source of current, a carbon pile for regulating a function of the out ut of said source, a coil responsive to a nction of the output of said source for controlling said carbon pile, a variable resistance in series with said carbon pile for changin the range of action of said pile, a variab e resistance in series with said coil for changing the standard of operation thereof, means for conjointly varying said variable resistances, and a reversin switch for reversing the action of one 0 said variable resistances.

5. In an electrical system, in combination, a source of current, a carbon pile for controllin a function of the output of said source, said carbon file having an inherent range of change 0 resistance that is unsuited for controlling said function,- and means for adapting said pile to control saidfunction, said means including a coil responsive to a function of the output of said sourcefor varying the pressure on said carbon ile, means or simultaneously chan ing tlie operating range of said carbon p' e and changing the standard of operation of said coil, and means operable at will for changing the relation between the range of change of operating range of the carbon pile and the range of change in the standard of operation of said coil.

6. In an electrical system, in combination, a source of current, a carbon pile for controlling a function of the output of said source, said carbon ile having an inherent range of change of resistance that is unsuited for controlling said function, and means for adapting said pile to control said function, said means including a coil responsive to a function of the output of said source for varying the pressure on said carbon pile, a variable resistance for changing the standard'of operation of said coil, an adjustable means responsive to the actuation of said variable resistance for afiecting the range of action of said carbon pile whereby the relation between the chan standard of operation of said coil an the change in the range of action. of said carbon ile may be varied.

7. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a regulator panel including a carbon pile and a coil for controllin the pressure on said carbon pile, said coil ing ada ted to operate at a certain standard and sai carbon pile having a certain inherent range of change of resistance, and means for suiting said coil to function at a different standard and for changing the standard at which said inherent range of chan e of resistance insaid carbon pile takes p ace, said means including a rheostat connected in circuit with said coil, a rheostat connected in circuit with said carbon pile, and means for reversing the action of one of said rheostats relative to the other.

8. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a regulator panel including a carbon pile and a coil for controlling the pressure on said carbon pile, a rheostat connected in circuit with said coil, a rheostat connected in circuit with said carbon ile, means for conjointly operatin said r eostats, and means operable at wi for reversing the action of one of said rheostats relative to the other.

9. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a regulator panel including a carbon pile and acoil for controlling the pressure on said carbon pile, a rheostat connected in circuit with said coil, a rheostat connected in circuit withsaid carbon ile, means for conjointly operating said r eostats, and switching means for reversing the connections of one of said rheostats vto reverse its action relative to the action of the other rheostat.

10. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a regulator panel including a-carbon pile and a coil for controlling the presure on said carbon pile. said coil being adapted to operate at a certain standard and said carbon pile having a certain inherent range of change ofresistance, and means for suiting said coil to function at a different standard and for changing the standard at which said inherent range of chan of resistance in said carbon pile takes p ace, said means includin a rheostat connected in circuit with said coil a rheostat connected in circuit with said carbon pile, and means of adjustable length connecting the movable parts of said rheostats so that operation of one rheostat efiects operation of the other.

11. In an electrical system, in combination, a source of current connected to supply energy to a load, means includ' a variab a resistance for controllin a ction of the energysupplied to-sai load, means including a coil responsive to said function of the energy sup) lied to said load for varying said varia e resistance, means for changing the action of said variable resist ance, means for changing the standard of operation of said coil, and means for causin said two last-mentioned means to act difi'erentially or cumulatively in their efiects upon the system.

12. In an electrical system, in combination, means forming a source of current requiring, for its regulation, a certain range of change of resistance at a 'ven standard a carbon pile having a su cient range of change of resistance but having an inappropriate resistance for regulating sald means" and connected to regulate said means, a coil adapted inherently to function at a certain standard inappropriate to thestandard required by said source and intended to be connected to respond to a function of the output of said means, said coil controlling said carbon ile, and means for changing the standar s at which said coil and said carbon pile are to function to meet the requirements of said first-mentioned means, said second-mentioned means includ ing a device for changing the standard at which said range of change of resistance in said carbon Elle takes place and a device for changing t e standard of operation of said coil and means for operating said devices.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this th day of March, 1930.

LOUIS H. VON OHLSEN. 

